The Department of Justice recently released a report highlighting the Federal Bureau of Investigation's shortcomings in properly addressing child sex crime allegations. The investigation was initiated by the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General (OIJ) in response to concerns over the mishandling of reports involving former USA physician Lawrence Nassar.
During the audit, the OIJ reviewed 327 incidents out of 3,925 cases opened by the FBI related to hands-on sex offenses against children. Shockingly, the audit identified 42 incidents that required immediate attention, accounting for 13% of all incidents reviewed.
The report revealed significant lapses in compliance with mandatory reporting requirements by FBI employees. In nearly half of the incidents reviewed, FBI employees failed to report to state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement, while only 43% of reports were made within the required 24-hour timeframe.
As a result of these findings, the Justice Department settled 139 claims amounting to $138.7 million, stemming from the FBI's inadequate investigation of Nassar despite repeated pleas from victims.
The report issued recommendations for the FBI to enhance its handling of child sex abuse cases, emphasizing the need for improved monitoring of mandatory reporting, clearer guidelines on time-sensitive incidents, and better documentation of sex crime notifications.
In response to the report, the FBI acknowledged the gravity of the issue and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding children. The FBI pledged to implement necessary improvements to ensure compliance and effectiveness in combating crimes against children.
Furthermore, OIJ officials are advocating for additional training, controls, and oversight for FBI agents handling crimes against children cases, underscoring the importance of addressing these sensitive matters with utmost diligence.
